Sprayless surface cleaner

ABSTRACT

A cleaning head for carpets, walls or upholstery, including a rigid, exterior, open-bottomed main body which defines the surface subjected to the cleaning process. Mounted within or adjacent to the main body portion coplanar with the bottom thereof is the fluid-applying device, which includes a slot at an acute angle to the plane of the bottom of the body located adjacent the plane of the bottom of the body, configured such that the fluid is applied in a thin sheet which flows out of the slot and into the upper portion of the surface to be cleaned and subsequently into the vacuum source for recovery  method for cleaning a surface comprises providing a cleaning tool including a lower surface contact area defined by a lip surrounding an opening through which a vacuum is applied and a liquid supply means adjacent the lip, placing the lower surface contact area in contact with a surface to be cleaned, applying a cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned within the lower surface contact area by flowing a substantially continuous film of cleaning liquid from an angled delivery slot of the liquid supply means over a portion of the lower surface contact area, and suctioning the film of cleaning liquid through the opening in the cleaning tool.

Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissueof patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,914. The reissue applications are theinstant application and application Ser. No. 10/459,325 filed Jun. 10,2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a tool for cleaning surfaces, and moreparticularly, to a tool for cleaning flooring surfaces, wall surfacesand upholstery. The tools utilize a cleaning fluid but do not includespray nozzles and therefore eliminate the problems associated therewith.The invention also relates to a method of delivering cleaning fluid toany one of a number of different tools. The cleaning fluid flows to thesurface to be cleaned by traveling along the edge of the tool in a thinsheet, maintaining higher temperatures and allowing more completerecovery of the fluid and a reduced drying time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since the first installation of carpeting and upholstery, there havebeen innumerable ways and theories as to the best approach for keepingthe carpeting and other fabric material clean, including wet versus drycleaning, deep versus shallow cleaning, and invariably an equal numberof instruments or tools to effect the cleaning process. The mostcommonly used cleaning method today is the process of applying cleaningfluid as a spray under pressure to the surface to both dissolve the dirtand stains and to scrub the fibers and simultaneously apply a vacuum ornegative pressure to extract the cleaning fluid and the soil capturedthereby. Although this relatively high pressure method is the methodmost commonly used, it has some disadvantages. First, it must beremembered that the very nature of the soiled surface defines that themajority of the soil will be at or near the surface of the fibers and,therefore, a high pressure cleaning tends to drive some of the surfacesoil and cleaning fluid deeper, thereby requiring a very powerful vacuumsystem to extract those particles which have been driven beneath theoutermost surface. Further, the use of cleaning fluid under pressure,applied through conventional jets, likewise drives the fluid itselfdeeper, and the fluid that is not immediately removed by the vacuumsource takes a significantly longer amount of time to dry. Again, aninconvenience; but further, if the carpeting is used prior to the timeit is completely dry, it is more likely to become soiled. Further, thesprayed fluid is atomized and comes into contact with the air, causingsignificant heat loss, diminishing the cleaning power of the fluid.

Numerous different approaches to spraying cleaning fluid under pressureand then removing it with a vacuum are illustrated in the prior artsupplied herewith but will not be discussed in detail.

Another approach to the cleaning of carpeting and upholstery has beenthe use of a rotating device wherein the entire machine is transportedover the carpeting while the cleaning head is rotated about a verticalaxis. Typically, these machines include a plurality of arms, each ofwhich includes one or more spray nozzles or a vacuum source providing amore intense scrubbing action since, in general, more scrubbing surfacescontact the carpet. These devices are primarily illustrated in thepatents granted to Monson, and again, these devices are listed in theprior art known to the inventor but not discussed in detail herewith.

A third body of material wherein the cleaning fluid is either attemptedto be deflected or otherwise controlled is illustrated hereinbelow.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,600, granted to Albishausen on Feb. 6, 1970,discloses a cleaning apparatus wherein the cleaning fluid is changedinto a liquid curtain by a baffle within the cleaning head.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,486, granted to Kochte on Jan. 22, 1982, discloses asurface cleaning machine wherein the cleaning fluid is deposited uponthe surface of the carpet pile from a wick like device which is wettedwith the cleaning fluid.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,594, granted to Grave on Mar. 17, 1987, discloses acleaning head wherein the cleaning solution is sprayed through a narrowpassage and some is wicked along the surface of the passage.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,805, granted to Pinter on Oct. 27, 1992, discloses amethod and apparatus for cleaning a carpet wherein the cleaning fluid issprayed by nozzle against the back of a striker plate and then flowsdownwardly and through the carpet to a pickup vacuum.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,884, granted to Nijland et al on Oct. 8, 1996,discloses a suction attachment spray member wherein the fluid is sprayedagainst the distributor plate, which creates a planar diverging liquidjet substantially filling the vacuum chamber.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in its broadest sense deals with the distributionof fluid to a surface for cleaning purposes. The fluid is distributedthrough a slot in a manifold which is in contact with the surface andthe slot is effectively at an angle to the surface to be cleaned. Thefluid is delivered in a thin film which because of fluidic attractionfollows the contour of the edge of the slot, passing through the uppersurface of the carpet or fiber being cleaned without having been formedinto discrete particles as with spraying, thus maintaining a hotterliquid, and also allowing a more complete pickup and/or recycle of thefluid, since a greater portion moves directly to the vacuum return,reducing the amount of fluid left on the surface because of a lesserpenetration, and thus reducing the subsequent drying time.

In addition to the above advantages, the current invention essentiallyeliminates the problem of overspray when the cleaning head is notimmediately adjacent the surface to be cleaned.

With the above-noted prior art and objects in mind, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide a cleaning nozzle wherein the cleaningfluid is moved as a sheet along the edge of the nozzle and distributedas a film through the upper portion of the material to be cleaned and isimmediately removed along with the grime.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning barwhich is moved over the upper surface of the material to be cleaned, thebar dispenses a cleaning fluid which penetrates the upper portion of thematerial dissolving the soil, which is then immediately vacuumed away,leaving a clean and substantially dry surface.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide adistribution manifold for cleaning fluid including a lower distributionsurface and a distribution slot at an angle to the surface to becleaned, allowing the fluid to flow over the edge of the slot and intothe upper portion of the surface to be cleaned in a film.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a cleaningmethod wherein the cleaning fluid is distributed through a tubularmember which is moved laterally across the surface to be cleaned, saidtubular member having a longitudinal slot at an obtuse angle to theradius, allowing the fluid to be distributed as a film along the surfaceoutside the slot and the surface to be cleaned.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaningsystem having a cleaning fluid-applying device which substantiallyreduces the amount of fluid left on the cleaned surface while alsosubstantially eliminating the problem of overspray.

Still a further object of the present invention is to delivery fluid toan adjacent surface in a thin, continuous film, controlling the amountof fluid and depth of penetration of the fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental view showing a self-contained carpet cleaningapparatus, which is one type that could utilize the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the cleaning head for the machine shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the lower portion of a cleaning headshowing one version of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the lower portion of a cleaning headshowing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section through the fluid-applying elementof the present invention as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a rotary cleaner which could incorporatethe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section through one of the cleaning heads in thedevice of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric representation of the cleaning head of FIGS. 6and 7 further disclosing the present invention in its workingenvironment.

FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment wherein the fluid delivery is adjacentthe vacuum.

FIG. 10 is yet another embodiment with the fluid delivery adjacent thevacuum.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As seen in FIG. 1, the cleaning system for the present inventionincludes a main receptacle 2 into which the soiled fluid is returned viavacuum hose 4 interconnected with nozzle 6. Mounted above the receptacle2 is the vacuum motor and the supply of a cleaning material supplied viatube 10. It is to be understood that this cleaning system could betrack-mounted.

As better seen in FIG. 2, the carpet cleaning head 6 includes a rigidvacuum tube 12 and a rectangular, downwardly open truncated pyramidalenvelope 14 which would contain the spray which is generally applied inprior known cleaning methods as well as forming the plenum for thevacuum returning the soiled liquid to the source.

As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 9 and 10 which are four separateembodiments, are the improved means for applying the cleaning fluidwithout the inherent problems of spray escaping. The front and back ofthe cleaning head are depicted as 16 and 18, which with the end panels(not shown) define a rectangular lip which defines the lower surfacecontact area of the floor to be cleaned, which is momentarily subjectedto the cleaning environment. Securely mounted (see FIG. 3) to theinterior of the cleaning head is a downwardly open fluid supply meanshaving a first wall 20 terminating in a head 22 and a second wall 24terminating in an inwardly turned foot 26. The cleaning fluid which issupplied in a steady stream downwardly between the walls 20 and 24 flowsoutwardly in a sheet pass foot 26 and around head 22 to be applieduniformly to the carpet or outer material, and then vacuumed up to thereturn tank. The utilization of a sheet of fluid which flows down thenozzle head eliminates the cooling of the fluid caused by transformingit from a solid into droplets, reduces the amount of fluid being usedfor a particular job, and further eliminates the problem of oversprayshould the cleaning head be inadvertently moved from the surface ortilted so one edge is raised.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4, whereinwalls 16 and 18 can again be seen, terminating adjacent the floorsurface to be cleaned. Mounted between the two walls is a horizontaltube 28 having an angled slot 29 supplied by conduit 30 and mounted bymeans of brackets 32, 34 within the cleaning head.

Reference is now had to FIG. 5, wherein the tube or manifold 28 isenlarged to show the slit or groove 29, which is at an acute angle tothe supporting floor or at an obtuse angle to the radius taken at thepoint of intersection with the circular cross-section. It is importantto know at this point that the width of the slit 29 and the angle to thefloor are critical elements in the proper functioning of the presentinvention and the appropriate application of the cleaning fluid.

As seen in FIG. 6, the present invention could be used in an alternateembodiment such as that taught by Monson in U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,229,wherein cleaning and vacuum heads 40 and 42 are mounted to a pluralityof arms which are rotated about a hub 44.

Referring now to FIG. 7, which is a vertical section through thecleaning head 40, it can be seen that the supply conduit 28 is securelymounted between the walls 16 and 18 by brackets 46, 48 and in contactwith the floor surface or uniplanar with the bottom edges of the walls16, 18.

Although the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8 depicts six arms, two ofwhich dispense fluid, it is to be understood that other combinationscould easily be used.

As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the fluid supply, since it is not sprayed,need not be contained in an envelope. In FIG. 9, fluid flows downwardlybetween wall 50 which terminates in foot 52 and wall 54 which terminatesin head 56, and forms a sheet flowing over head 56. The fluid isreturned by vacuum between walls 54 and 58. The head shown in FIG. 10 isof one piece, with the fluid exiting through angular slot 60, flowingalong bottom surface 62, and being removed through vacuum opening 64.

Thus, as can be seen, the present invention provides a way to safely andefficiently clean carpeting and the like while reducing the heat loss ofcleaning fluid used for a particular job, avoiding the problem ofoverspray, and, perhaps most importantly, to allow the carpet to bedried more quickly, since there is less penetration and therefore morefluid is extracted. It is further to be noted that the fact that fluidis not sprayed upon the carpet prevents it from driving the soil furtherinto the nap.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein for illustration, it should be understood that various changes,modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodimentwithout departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined bythe claims as follows.

1. A cleaning head including a main body portion adapted to be used witha source of cleaning liquid, and a vacuum source for cleaning a floor,wall or upholstered surface; comprising: a lower surface contact areadefined by a rectangular lip defined by the main body of the head,outlining the limits of operation of the tool as it is guided over thefloor; liquid-applying means fixedly located within the confines of thelip, said liquid-applying means being configured such that the cleaningliquid is applied to the surface as a continuous film flowing over thelower surface, whereby the liquid is better controlled, there is nodanger of overspray, and the surface is dried more quickly; means tointerconnect the cleaning head and a source of cleaning liquid; andmeans to interconnect the cleaning head and a vacuum source.
 2. A floor,wall or upholstery cleaning tool for use in conjunction with a source ofcleaning liquid and a vacuum source comprising: means interconnectingthe tool of the liquid source; exterior envelope means and interiorsupply means wherein the exterior envelope has a substantiallyuni-planer lower surface wherein the envelope means defines asubstantially enclosed area of the floor when in contact therewith andis connected to the vacuum source and the supply means is interconnectedwith the source of cleaning liquid, said interior supply means providesan elongated bottom lip substantially uni-planer with the lower surfaceof the envelope means and is configured such that the liquid isselectively applied to the floor as a thin film which flows over thebottom lip.
 3. A tool as in claim 2, wherein the supply means is tabularand includes an elongated slot in its lower surface for delivering thecleaning liquid.
 4. A tool as in claim 3, wherein the slot is at anacute angle to the plane formed by the lower surface of the exteriorenvelope means so as to create a fluid attraction, moving fluid towardthe vacuum source.
 5. A tool as in claim 2, wherein the supply meanscomprises a downwardly open narrow slot with its lower openingsubstantially in the same plane as the bottom surface of the envelope,means one side of which includes an inwardly projecting foot.
 6. Acleaning head adapted to be used with a source of cleaning liquid and avacuum source for cleaning a floor, wall or upholstered surface,comprising: a lower surface contact area defined by a lip surrounding anopening through which a vacuum is applied for removing fluid andentrained soil; and a liquid supply means adjacent the lip, including anangled delivery slot, causing the liquid to flow in a sheet over the lipand into the vacuum.
 7. A method for cleaning a surface, the methodcomprising: providing a cleaning tool comprising: a lower surfacecontact area defined by a lip surrounding an opening through which avacuum is applied for removing liquid; and a liquid supply meansadjacent the lip, the liquid supply means including an angled deliveryslot structured for causing liquid to flow over the lip and into theopening through which the vacuum is applied; placing the lower surfacecontact area in contact with a surface to be cleaned; applying acleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned within the lower surfacecontact area by flowing a substantially continuous film of cleaningliquid from the angled delivery slot over a portion of the lower surfacecontact area; and suctioning the film of cleaning liquid through theopening in the cleaning tool.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein placing alower surface contact area in contact with a surface to be cleanedfurther comprises placing a lowermost surface of the cleaning tool incontact with a surface to be cleaned.
 9. The method of claim 8 whereinplacing a lower surface contact area in contact with a surface to becleaned further comprises placing the lip of the cleaning tool incontact with a surface to be cleaned.
 10. The method of claim 8 whereinflowing a substantially continuous film of cleaning liquid from theangled delivery slot over a portion of the lower surface contact areafurther comprises flowing the film of cleaning liquid over the lowermostsurface.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein placing a lower surfacecontact area in contact with a surface to be cleaned further comprisesoutlining limits of operation of the cleaning tool.
 12. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: interconnecting the cleaning tool and asource of cleaning liquid.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: interconnecting the cleaning tool and a source of vacuum.14. The method of claim 7, wherein the lip surrounding the opening inthe lower surface contact area is a substantially rectangular lip.
 15. Amethod for cleaning a surface, the method comprising: providing acleaning device defining a first chamber coupled to a vacuum source andhaving a substantially planar opening, and a second chamber coupled to acleaning liquid source and having an angled distribution slot and adistribution surface adjacent to the substantially planar opening;positioning the distribution surface adjacent to a surface to be cleanedsuch that the distribution surface is substantially parallel to thesurface to be cleaned; and distributing a substantially continuous filmof cleaning liquid through the angled distribution slot and across aportion of the distribution surface positioned substantially parallel tothe surface to be cleaned such that the substantially continuous film ofcleaning liquid flows from the second chamber, along the distributionsurface, and into the first chamber.
 16. A method for cleaning asurface, the method comprising: providing a cleaning head defining afirst chamber structured for connection to a source of vacuum and havinga substantially planar opening, and a second chamber structured forconnection to a source of cleaning liquid and having an angleddistribution slot and a distribution surface, the angled distributionslot being positioned adjacent to the planar opening of the firstchamber; placing a surface contact area of the cleaning head in contactwith a surface to be cleaned such that the distribution surface issubstantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned; applying a cleaningliquid to the surface to be cleaned within the surface contact area byflowing a substantially continuous film of cleaning liquid through theangled distribution slot and over a portion of the distribution surfacepositioned substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned; andremoving the film of cleaning liquid through the first chamber.